Should You Use a Minnie Van at Disney World? A Cheapskate Princess Guide

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We’ve been familiar with the term “minivans” since car makers began downsizing from traditional full-size vans. But have you seen the Minnie Vans? We’ve got all your information, including prices, details, and how-tos. And Boy oh Boy Mickey, are these vans cute!

Back in 2017, the Walt Disney World Resort launched of a new transportation mode called Minnie Van service. While it was initially available for guests staying at Disney’s BoardWalk Resort and Disney’s Yacht & Beach Club Resorts, because of the hugely positive response, they became available at every deluxe resort, and as of June 2018, they are available at all Disney Resorts. The Minnie Vans are Chevrolet Traverses and Chevrolet vans for guests with wheelchairs or ECVs.

Disney is collaborating with the US’ fastest growing ride share service, Lyft, which allows guests to arrange their own private Disney vehicle right from the Lyft app on their smart phone.

Because this is a new service still in a trial phase, any information here could change any time, but we’ll try to keep you updated. It’s always best to call Disney and confirm before your vacation to make sure the info. you have will still be accurate.

Where can you go?

With Minnie Van service, Disney Cast Members will take you wherever you want to go at the Walt Disney World Resort for a flat fee. Around the corner or across property, it’s all the same price, but it has to be on the Disney Resort property.

These won’t work for a trip to the malls outlet malls or grocery stores.

How many can ride?

Minnie Vans accommodate up to six guests. Two versatile car seats are provided for even the tiniest of passengers.

What hours are available?

Minnie Van service will be available between 6:30 a.m. and 12:30 a.m. (These times are subject to change).

Cost?

There’s a $25 (price increase in 2018) flat fee to get where you want to go. There’s no additional charge for car seats as with other similar services.

You won’t need any cash, since all payments are done inside the Lyft app. You’ll be using your credit card or Apple Pay information.

Drivers do not accept gratuities, but tipping is allowed through the Lyft app.

How do I receive one?

1. To use the Minnie Vans, you must download the Lyft app on your smart phone. From there, you can activate the service yourself using a notification you receive on the My Disney Experience app, or you can visit the front desk of your resort for activation.

2. Once activation is complete, simply use the Lyft app to request a pick-up. Enter your pick-up point and destination, and choose Minnie Van Service from the options given. Ignore the time/price estimates you see, because all journeys are the flat $20 fee.

Minnie Vans all look adorably alike but they are numbered, so look for your number when it pulls up.

To order an accessible Minnie van, an actual van and not the Traverse, you must contact Special Services at (407) 828-3500, as the option to select such the Chevrolet van from the Lyft app is not available currently. (This could change any time.)

Drop Off Points

Magic Kingdom – they drop you off at Magic Kingdom instead of the Ticket & Transportation Center, so this could save you some travel time.

EPCOT – they drop you off ear the busses at the front of the park.

Hollywood Studios – they drop you off ear the front of a parking lot down from where offsite buses and buses for Disney Springs pick up. This could change due to ongoing construction.

Animal Kingdom – they drop you off close to the parking lot trams’ boarding area at the front of the park.

Disney Springs- they drop you off at the Taxi Station on the far west end as you pass the AMC Movie Theater and at the east end Taxi Station by the World of Disney store. Simply tell your Cast Member driver which location you prefer.

Blizzard Beach & Typhoon Lagoon – they drop you off by the taxi area close to the front of the water parks.

Resorts – they drop you off at the front entrance, or if your resort has separate buildings, they can drop you off at your building.

Hoop Dee Doo Musical Revue or Trail’s End at Fort Wilderness – they drop you off at Pioneer Hall.

Once you start looking, you’ll see Minnie Vans all over the Disney resort property.

The question is, will you be in one?

Why use a Minnie Van?

If you’ve ever thought of calling a taxi on Disney property, this is potentially a better option, and you’ll definitely be riding in cute Minnie Mouse style. It is more expensive than using Uber or Lyft, but it might be more fun and possibly more reliable since actual Cast Members are doing the driving.

Many people don’t realize you need to give yourself more than an hour, sometimes two during holiday traffic, to get from your resort to a dining reservation. Busses can be unreliable. If you won’t make your reservation time on time, then a Minnie Van could be worth the additional cost.

Busses do not travel from resort to resort, so you can not catch a bus from Wilderness Lodge to say Port Orleans for dinner. This will require transferring busses from a theme park or Disney Springs, which can add significant time to your travels. Here, a Minnie Van could again be worth the additional cost.

From reading through multiple reviews and numerous user comments, you could wait no time – there’s an empty van parked outside your resort – or wait about 20 minutes. Obviously you’ll wait more during crowded holiday periods of the year.

Me personally? In all my years of Disney travels, I’ve never had to call a taxi. But we also drive to Orlando by car, so I never had a need. Now, I just want to pay the $25 to snap some pictures and make my friends think I’ve finally repainted my car with polka dots. If getting to a character meal any faster came with that, it might be a double bonus!

I’ve you’ve booked a Minnie Van, leave us a comment and tell us about your experience.